HOW TO: Build a Mirrored Changing Screen with Pin Boards on Back

Hello, Happy Friday!  You know what every Friday in the 12 weeks before Christmas means, right?

It's Handbuilt Holiday - featuring a new gift plan created by me (not usually that serious) and Jaime from That's My Letter.

On our top secret list of Holiday plans to give you this season was a changing screen inspired by this adorable find at Land of Nod.

Isn't it darling?  With the mirror on one side, and the fabric pin board on the other?  I know my daughter would love for me to build her something like this too!

Jaime and I decided to try and keep the cost down we'd use store bought wall mirrors, about $6 each, even up here in Alaska.  I know building is fun, but we are always thinking of way to keep project costs down - so you can build more projects of course.

So Jaime picked up these mirrors from Target (most any full length wall mirror would work), and I got started on the plans.

Now nothing makes more more frusturated than dimensions that are slightly over my favorite numbers - 16", 24", 32" and 48".  I can feel my heart beating faster just thinking about it.  Here's why - let's say you need to cut a piece of plywood 48-1/2" long instead of 47-1/2" long.  Now you need a full sheet instead of a half sheet.  That means you have to spend twice as much money just for an extra inch of plywood.  See why I get so worked up?  Friends don't let friends do that.

The Target mirrors happened to be 49-5/8" long.  Our original plan was to use 1/2" plywood inside the frames and glue the mirrors and the fabric panels to the 1/2" plywood.  But with the 49-5/8" measurement, you'd have to buy a whole sheet of plywood.  Now mind you scrap wood isn't always a bad thing - if you are always building, there's no shame in being a wood hoarder.  

So we re-worked this plan a few times, and this is what we came up with for about $65 plus fabric (you'll need about 1-1/2" yards) -

So here's what to do to make your own.  First go check out Jaime from That's My Letter's building post right now (with lots more construction photos and beauty shots) and give her some love!  Then when you go to build, the plans follow (if this is the homepage you'll need to click READ MORE below).

Have the awesomest weekend ever!

XO Ana + Friends